Gov. Mark Dayton and a delegation of three dozen state and business leaders are meeting with Mexican officials this week with an eye toward deeper trade ties and education partnerships.

The state exported $20.7 billion worth of manufactured, mining and agricultural products last year, down $106 million from a record $20.8 billion in 2012.

By almost any measure, Katie Clark Sieben’s political career has had a meteoric rise from serving as Gov. Mark Dayton’s campaign finance director to now serving as commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Republicans who received the veto letters say they strike a tone of anything but compromise.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty plans to lead a trade mission to China and Japan this fall to, as a news release this morning put it, "help Minnesota companies increase exports, build strategic relationships and explore new business opportunities."